Pupukea Beach Park
Pupukea Beach Park is a protected marine life conservation area on Oahu's North Shore, home to top snorkeling spots like Shark's Cove and Three Tables. It's a scenic destination offering tide pools, lava formations, and diverse aquatic life, especially calm and accessible in the summer months.
Pupukea Beach Park, Oahu
Pupukea, which means "white shell" in the Hawaiian language, is a long and narrow stretch of beach with a rocky shoreline. On each end of Pupukea Beach Park (view panorama) × lie two small pocket beaches within the rocks – Shark's Cove and Three Tables. Both are very popular and fantastic dive and snorkeling sites, but mainly in the summer months when the surf is calm. In the winter when the surf is up and dangerous, swimming, snorkeling and diving are often times not possible or recommended.
Shark's Cove got its name from a popular story that says that the outline of a reef outside the cove looks like a shark when seen from above. In the summer months, Shark's Cove is a prime snorkeling spot, and even though the access to the water makes you wish you were a mountain goat, it is a very popular destination (finding a parking spot can be challenging on busy summer weekends). To get to the ocean, you have to climb down a steep dirt path. There is no sandy beach here, just a few sandy patches between the boulders that line the shore.
Three Tables is named like that because of the three flat reefs that lie off the beach. The "tables" emerge above the ocean's surface during low tide. It's another great snorkeling spot, also only in summer as the surf is too wild and too dangerous in winter. In between both beaches you find a beachcomber's paradise with tide pools, surreal lava formations and the occasional blowhole.
In the middle section of the park is the Honolulu Fire Department's Sunset Beach Fire Station, an important base for the North Shore of Oahu. The firefighters stationed here also respond to many ocean rescues.
Pupukea Beach Park (view panorama) × is a marine life conservation area and has several great spots to play in the water along its narrow 80 acres on the side of Kamehameha Highway. Across the street is a Foodland supermarket (only grocery store in this area), and you'll find many small surf-wear stores and roadside food trucks nearby.
Key Features of Pupukea Beach Park
- Marine life conservation area: Protected coastal zone with abundant aquatic biodiversity, ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving
- Shark's Cove: One of Oahu's top snorkeling and diving spots, with lava rock formations and vibrant reef life
- Three Tables: Named after the flat rock formations visible at low tide, excellent for snorkeling in calm summer months
- Scenic tide pools and lava rock coastline: The rocky shoreline between the beaches features blowholes and natural tide pools
- Convenient access: Located off Kamehameha Highway with nearby amenities like Foodland, food trucks, and roadside parking
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pupukea Beach Park good for snorkeling?
Yes, especially during the summer months when the ocean is calm. Shark's Cove and Three Tables are top snorkeling sites.
Is it safe to swim here in winter?
No, high surf and strong currents in winter make the waters dangerous for swimming, snorkeling, or diving.
Is there parking at Pupukea Beach Park?
Yes, roadside parking is available along Kamehameha Highway, though it may be limited on busy weekends.
Are there amenities nearby?
Yes, across the street you'll find Foodland grocery store, as well as surf shops and food trucks.